U.S. patent application number 09/998772 was filed with the patent office on 2002-08-15 for electronic still camera.
This patent application is currently assigned to NIKON CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Hayashi, Masaki, Kazami, Kazuyuki.
Application Number | 20020109783 09/998772 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 15610257 |
Filed Date | 2002-08-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020109783 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hayashi, Masaki ; et
al. |
August 15, 2002 |
Electronic still camera
Abstract
An electronic still camera includes: an image capturing element
which captures an image of a photographic subject via a
photographic lens, and which outputs the image of the photographic
subject which has been captured as image data; a storage device
which stores at least two sets of image data having different image
capture timings; a display device which displays an photographic
subject image which has been converted into image data; and a
display control circuit which, during photography, causes at least
two photographic subject images based respectively upon the two
sets of image data to be displayed upon the display device in
different regions thereof.
Inventors: |
Hayashi, Masaki; (Chiba-shi,
JP) ; Kazami, Kazuyuki; (Itabashi-ku, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
OLIFF & BERRIDGE, PLC
P.O. BOX 19928
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22320
US
|
Assignee: |
NIKON CORPORATION
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
15610257 |
Appl. No.: |
09/998772 |
Filed: |
December 3, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
09998772 |
Dec 3, 2001 |
|
|
|
PCT/JP00/03396 |
May 26, 2000 |
|
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
348/333.05 ;
348/E5.047 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 1/2137 20130101;
H04N 5/232121 20180801; H04N 2101/00 20130101; H04N 2201/33328
20130101; H04N 1/2112 20130101; H04N 5/232939 20180801; H04N 1/0044
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
348/333.05 |
International
Class: |
H04N 005/222 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 2, 1999 |
JP |
11-155633 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An electronic still camera, comprising: an image capturing
element which captures an image of a photographic subject via a
photographic lens, and which outputs the image of the photographic
subject which has been captured as image data; a storage device
which stores at least two sets of image data having different image
capture timings; a display device which displays an photographic
subject image which has been converted into image data; and a
display control circuit which, during photography, causes at least
two photographic subject images based respectively upon said two
sets of image data to be displayed upon said display device in
different regions thereof.
2. An electronic still camera according to claim 1, further
comprising: an image size compression circuit which compresses an
image size of image data for displaying a photographic subject
image upon said display device, wherein said image size compression
circuit compresses image sizes of said two sets of image data into
two different sizes while maintaining aspect ratios of the image
sizes of said two sets of image data constant.
3. An electronic still camera according to claim 1, wherein one of
said two sets of image data is a photographic subject image which
has been captured upon shutter release actuation, and the other is
a photographic subject image which is being captured by said image
capturing element.
4. An electronic still camera according to claim 2, wherein said
image size compression circuit makes the image size of said
photographic subject image which is being captured by said image
capturing element to be larger, than the image size of said
photographic subject image which has been captured upon shutter
release actuation.
5. An electronic still camera according to claim 1, further
comprising: a selection device which selects a recording mode in
which, upon shutter release actuation, a photographic subject image
is captured and image data is recorded, and a replay mode in which
image data which has been recorded in recording mode is displayed
upon said display device, wherein if the recording mode is selected
by said selection device, said display control circuit displays
said at least two photographic subject images based respectively
upon said two sets of image data upon said display device in
different regions thereof.
6. An electronic still camera according to claim 5, further
comprising: a recording medium, separate from said storage device,
upon which image data is recorded, wherein said recording medium
records image data during the recording mode, and reads out image
data which has been recorded during the replay mode.
7. An electronic still camera according to claim 1, wherein said
display device is provided within the same chassis as the
electronic still camera.
8. An electronic still camera, comprising: an image capturing
element which captures an image of a photographic subject via a
photographic lens, and which outputs the image of the photographic
subject which has been captured as image data; a storage device
which stores at least two sets of image data having different image
capture timings; a display device which displays an photographic
subject image which has been converted into image data; and a
display control circuit which, during photography, provides a
display upon said display device which is changeable over between a
multi image display in which at least two photographic subject
images based respectively upon said two sets of image data are
displayed, and a single image display in which one or the other of
said at least two photographic subject images based respectively
upon said two sets of image data is displayed.
9. An electronic still camera according to claim 8, further
comprising: a selection device which selects either the multi image
display or the single image display.
10. An electronic still camera according to claim 9, further
comprising: a time measurement circuit which times a time period
during which the multi image display is performed, wherein in a
case that the multi image display is selected by said selection
device, said display control circuit stops the multi image display
and changes over to the single image display, when a predetermined
time period after the multi image display has been selected has
been timed by said time measurement circuit.
11. An electronic still camera according to claim 9, further
comprising: a decision circuit which decides whether or not at
least half press shutter release actuation has been performed,
wherein in a case that the multi image display is selected by said
selection device, said display control circuit stops the multi
image display and changes over to the single image display, when it
has been decided by said decision circuit that half press shutter
release actuation has been performed.
12. An electronic still camera according to claim 8, wherein one of
said two sets of image data is a photographic subject image which
has been captured upon shutter release actuation, and the other is
a photographic subject image which is being captured by said image
capturing element.
13. An electronic still camera according to claim 8, further
comprising: a selection device which selects a recording mode in
which, upon shutter release actuation, an image of a photographic
subject is captured and image data is recorded, and a replay mode
in which image data which has been recorded in recording mode is
displayed upon said display device, wherein if the recording mode
is selected by said selection device, said display control circuit
provides a display upon said display device which is changeable
over between a multi image display in which at least two
photographic subject images based respectively upon said two sets
of image data are displayed, and a single image display in which
one or the other of said at least two photographic subject images
based respectively upon said two sets of image data is
displayed.
14. An electronic still camera according to claim 13, further
comprising: a recording medium, separate from said storage device,
upon which image data is recorded, wherein said recording medium
records image data during the recording mode, and reads out image
data which has been recorded during the replay mode.
15. An electronic still camera according to claim 8, wherein said
display device is provided within the same chassis as the
electronic still camera.
Description
[0001] This application is a continuation of PCT Application No.
PCT/JP00/03396 filed May 26, 2000.
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
[0002] The disclosures of the following applications are herein
incorporated by reference:
[0003] Japanese Patent Application No. H11-155633 filed on Jun. 2,
1999; and
[0004] PCT Application No. PCT/JP00/03396 filed on May 26,
2000.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0005] 1. Field of the Invention
[0006] The present invention relates to an electronic still camera
which captures an image of a photographic subject electronically
and records it as image data.
[0007] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0008] From the past there has been known a digital camera which
comprises a focus detection and adjustment device which performs
focus detection by driving a photographic lens, an image capturing
device such as a CCD which captures an image of a photographic
subject through the photographic lens and outputs it as image data,
an image processing circuit which performs image processing such as
white balance adjustment and gamma correction and the like upon the
image data which is outputted from the image capturing device, a
monitor which displays this data after image processing, and a
compression circuit which compresses this data after image
processing in a format like the JPEG format or the like and then
records it upon a recording medium such as a flash memory or the
like.
[0009] When photographic operation is performed with a prior art
digital camera of this type, an image of the photographic subject
is photographed by shutter release actuation, image processing is
performed upon the image data which is outputted from the image
capturing device by performing white balance adjustment and/or
gamma correction and the like, and the image which has been
photographed is displayed upon the monitor as a so called freeze
frame. And compression processing is performed to compress this
data after the image processing, and recording processing is
performed to record the compressed data upon the recording medium,
and then the photographic process is terminated.
[0010] The photographic subject image which is displayed upon the
monitor automatically changes over to a so called "through frame"
real time image before photography, when a predetermined time
period has elapsed from when the freeze frame was displayed. For
example, the display may change over to the through frame display
when the photographic data has been compressed and has been stored
in the memory card. Accordingly the problem is experienced that it
is not possible to cause the directly previous photographic image
to be displayed upon the monitor after the monitor display of the
camera has changed over from the freeze frame screen to the through
frame screen.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] Accordingly it is the objective of the present invention to
provide an electronic still camera which is capable of
simultaneously displaying the image which was photographed directly
before, during the display of a through frame before
photography.
[0012] In order to attain the above objective, an electronic still
camera according to the present invention comprises: an image
capturing element which captures an image of a photographic subject
via a photographic lens, and which outputs the image of the
photographic subject which has been captured as image data; a
storage device which stores at least two sets of image data having
different image capture timings; a display device which displays an
photographic subject image which has been converted into image
data; and a display control circuit which, during photography,
causes at least two photographic subject images based respectively
upon the two sets of image data to be displayed upon the display
device in different regions thereof.
[0013] In this electronic still camera, it is preferred that: an
image size compression circuit which compresses an image size of
image data for displaying a photographic subject image upon the
display device is further provided; and the image size compression
circuit compresses image sizes of the two sets of image data into
two different sizes while maintaining aspect ratios of the image
sizes of the two sets of image data constant. In this case, it is
preferred that the image size compression circuit makes the image
size of the photographic subject image which is being captured by
the image capturing element to be larger, than the image size of
the photographic subject image which has been captured upon shutter
release actuation.
[0014] Also, it is preferred that one of the two sets of image data
is a photographic subject image which has been captured upon
shutter release actuation, and the other is a photographic subject
image which is being captured by the image capturing element.
[0015] Also, it is preferred that: a selection device which selects
a recording mode in which, upon shutter release actuation, a
photographic subject image is captured and image data is recorded,
and a replay mode in which image data which has been recorded in
recording mode is displayed upon the display device, is further
provided; and if the recording mode is selected by the selection
device, the display control circuit displays the at least two
photographic subject images based respectively upon the two sets of
image data upon the display device in different regions thereof. In
this case, it is preferred that: a recording medium, separate from
the storage device, upon which image data is recorded, is further
provided; and the recording medium records image data during the
recording mode, and reads out image data which has been recorded
during the replay mode.
[0016] Also, it is preferred that the display device is provided
within the same chassis as the electronic still camera.
[0017] Another electronic still camera according to the present
invention comprises: an image capturing element which captures an
image of a photographic subject via a photographic lens, and which
outputs the image of the photographic subject which has been
captured as image data; a storage device which stores at least two
sets of image data having different image capture timings; a
display device which displays an photographic subject image which
has been converted into image data; and a display control circuit
which, during photography, provides a display upon the display
device which is changeable over between a multi image display in
which at least two photographic subject images based respectively
upon the two sets of image data are displayed, and a single image
display in which one or the other of the at least two photographic
subject images based respectively upon the two sets of image data
is displayed.
[0018] In this electronic still camera, it is preferred that a
selection device which selects either the multi image display or
the single image display is further provided. In this case, it is
preferred that: a time measurement circuit which times a time
period during which the multi image display is performed, is
further provided; and in a case that the multi image display is
selected by the selection device, the display control circuit stops
the multi image display and changes over to the single image
display, when a predetermined time period after the multi image
display has been selected has been timed by the time measurement
circuit. Also, it is preferred that: a decision circuit which
decides whether or not at least half press shutter release
actuation has been performed, is further provided; and in a case
that the multi image display is selected by the selection device,
the display control circuit stops the multi image display and
changes over to the single image display, when it has been decided
by the decision circuit that half press shutter release actuation
has been performed.
[0019] Also, it is preferred that one of the two sets of image data
is a photographic subject image which has been captured upon
shutter release actuation, and the other is a photographic subject
image which is being captured by the image capturing element.
[0020] Also, it is preferred that: a selection device which selects
a recording mode in which, upon shutter release actuation, an image
of a photographic subject is captured and image data is recorded,
and a replay mode in which image data which has been recorded in
recording mode is displayed upon the display device, is further
provided; and if the recording mode is selected by the selection
device, the display control circuit provides a display upon the
display device which is changeable over between a multi image
display in which at least two photographic subject images based
respectively upon the two sets of image data are displayed, and a
single image display in which one or the other of the at least two
photographic subject images based respectively upon the two sets of
image data is displayed. In this case, it is preferred that: a
recording medium, separate from the storage device, upon which
image data is recorded, wherein the recording medium records image
data during the recording mode, and reads out image data which has
been recorded during the replay mode, is further provided.
[0021] Also, it is preferred that the display device is provided
within the same chassis as the electronic still camera.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] FIGS. 1A and 1B are views showing the exterior of a digital
still camera according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention in its unused and portable state, with FIG. 1A being a
view as seen from above, while FIG. 1B is a view as seen from the
rear.
[0023] FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C are views showing the exterior of this
digital still camera according to this preferred embodiment of the
present invention in its state as ready for normal photography,
with FIG. 2A being a view as seen from the front, FIG. 2B being a
view as seen from above, and FIG. 2C being a view as seen from the
rear.
[0024] FIG. 3 is a block diagram for this digital still camera
according to this preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0025] FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C are figures for explanation of menu
setting screens for the photographic mode of this digital still
camera according to this preferred embodiment of the present
invention, with FIG. 4A showing a photographic menu screen, FIG. 4B
showing an AF operation setting screen, and FIG. 4C showing a
simultaneous display setting screen.
[0026] FIG. 5 is a figure for explanation of a setting screen for
shutter speed, aperture value, and exposure correction value of
this digital still camera according to this preferred embodiment of
the present invention.
[0027] FIG. 6 is a flow chart for explanation of a main processing
routine for photographic mode, performed by this digital still
camera according to this preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0028] FIG. 7 is a flow chart for explanation of a routine for
image pre-processing, performed by this digital still camera
according to this preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0029] FIG. 8 is a flow chart for explanation of a routine for
display processing, performed by this digital still camera
according to this preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0030] FIG. 9 is a flow chart for explanation of a routine for
composite processing, performed by this digital still camera
according to this preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0031] FIG. 10 is a figure for explanation of a map in a buffer
memory of this digital still camera according to this preferred
embodiment of the present invention, when "picture in picture"
display is being performed.
[0032] FIG. 11 is a figure for explanation of this map in the
buffer memory of this digital still camera according to this
preferred embodiment of the present invention, when "in parallel"
display is being performed.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0033] In the following, a preferred embodiment of the present
invention will be explained with reference to the drawings. FIGS.
1A and 1B are views showing the exterior of a digital still camera
according to this preferred embodiment of the present invention in
an unused and portable state, with FIG. 1A being a view as seen
from above, while FIG. 1B is a view as seen from the rear.
Moreover, FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C are views showing the exterior of
this digital still camera according to this preferred embodiment of
the present invention in a state in which it is ready for normal
photography, with FIG. 2A being a view as seen from the front, FIG.
2B being a view as seen from above, and FIG. 2C being a view as
seen from the rear. In this digital still camera according to this
preferred embodiment of the present invention, a lens unit 1a which
comprises a photographic zoom lens 2 is provided separately from a
monitor unit 1b which comprises an LCD monitor 3, and these two
units 1a and 1b are linked together so as to be rotatable with
respect to one another.
[0034] In the unused or portable state the lens unit 1a is rotated
with respect to the monitor unit 1b so that together they
constitute a flat combination, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B.
Furthermore, in the state for normal photography, as shown in FIGS.
2A, 2B, and 2C the lens unit 1a is rotated with respect to the
monitor unit 1b so that the photographic zoom lens faces towards
the photographic subject. Thus, at this time, the monitor unit 1b
is kept at a position in which the LCD monitor 3 faces towards the
photographer, so that he is enabled to perform photography while
watching said LCD monitor 3, while the lens unit 1a faces towards
the photographic subject.
[0035] Apart from the photographic zoom lens 2, the lens unit 1a
also comprises an electronic flash device 4, a viewfinder window 5,
a red eye reduction and self timer display lamp 6, and a viewfinder
eyepiece window 7. On the other hand, apart from the LCD monitor 3,
the monitor unit 1b comprises a main switch 8, a release button 9,
a display panel 10, a flash photographic mode button 11, a focus
mode button 12, a picture quality mode button 13, a zoom changeover
button 14, a monitor button 15, a menu button 16, a selection dial
17, an exposure correction button 18, and an exposure mode button
19.
[0036] FIG. 3 is a block circuit diagram for this digital still
camera 1 according to this preferred embodiment of the present
invention. This digital still camera is controlled by a main CPU
212 which controls focus detection and adjustment processing and
photometry processing and so on, by an ASIC 206 for image
processing which controls image processing and image display
processing, and by a CPU 213 for switch control which monitors the
input signals from the various switches. Thus, this switch control
CPU 213 is constituted so as, when any of the various switches of
this digital still camera 1 is actuated, to send information to
that effect to the main CPU 212, and also so as, when the zoom
changeover button 14 is actuated, to control a zoom lens drive
device 216 so as to drive the photographic zoom lens 201
appropriately.
[0037] This digital still camera 1 can be set to either a
photographic mode (REC) or a replay mode (PLAY) by the photographer
changing over the main switch 8. This main switch 8 can be switched
over to any one of at least three positions--OFF, REC, and PLAY.
The photographic mode is an operational mode in which an image of
the photographic subject which has been captured is recorded as
image data, while the replay mode is an operational mode in which
image data which has been recorded is read out and is displayed
upon the LCD color monitor 3. And, in both operational modes, there
is provided a menu setting mode for selecting and setting various
camera operations. The present explanation will concentrate upon
the operation in the photographic mode.
[0038] The Photographic Mode
[0039] When the main switch 8 is actuated so as to change it over
to the photographic mode position, this turns the power supply of
the digital still camera ON and changes it to the photographic
mode. When the photographic mode is thus selected, light from the
photographic subject which is incident upon the photographic zoom
lens 201 is focused upon a CCD 202 which is an image capturing
device, and an image signal produced thereby is transmitted, via a
pre-processor circuit 204 which performs analog processing
thereupon, to an A/D conversion circuit which converts it into a
digital signal. This signal which has been converted to digital is
supplied to the ASIC 206 for image processing, image pre-processing
such as contour compensation, gamma correction, and the like is
performed upon the signal there, and then the signal is temporarily
stored in a memory 207 which is a buffer memory.
[0040] This image data which has been stored in the buffer memory
207 is processed into image data for display by the ASIC 206 for
image processing. The ASIC 206 for image processing reads out the
image data after image pre-processing which is stored in the buffer
memory 207, and prepares an image for display by performing
subsampling or culling (image size compression processing)
according to the display resolution of the LCD color monitor 3. The
display image data which have been prepared by the ASIC 206 for
image processing is displayed upon the LCD color monitor 3 as a so
called "through frame" photographic monitor screen. During this
through frame display, by repeating the above described operation,
the image upon the LCD color monitor 3 is renewed at a
predetermined interval based upon the light from the photographic
subject which is incident upon the photographic zoom lens 201.
[0041] A half press signal from a half press switch 231 and a full
press signal from a full press switch 232 (hereinafter termed the
"release switch 232") are inputted to the switch control CPU 213.
These two switches 231 and 232 are operated in association with the
release button 9. When the half press signal is inputted by the
half press switch 231 being actuated, the switch control CPU 213
transmits a signal to that effect to the main CPU 212, and the A/F
device 217 detects the focal adjustment state of the photographic
zoom lens 201 according to a command from this CPU 212. The A/F
device 217 comprises a light receiving element not shown in the
figures which receives light from the photographic subject for
focus detection, and a focus adjustment device also not shown in
the figures, and, based upon the focus detection data which are
detected by the light receiving element for focus detection, the
photographic zoom lens 201 is driven to the focused position in
which the light from the photographic subject which is incident
upon the photographic zoom lens 201 is focused upon the CCD 202.
Furthermore, the CCD 202 is driven and controlled via a drive
circuit 203, and operation timing of a pre-processor circuit 204
and the A/D conversion circuit 205 are also controlled.
[0042] Yet further, when the above described half press signal is
inputted to the CPU 212, said CPU 212 also issues a command to the
photometry device 218, so as to perform photometry of the
brightness of the photographic subject. The photometry device 218
comprises a light reception element not shown in the figures, and,
for example, may perform photometry of the brightness of the
photographic subject over a detection region for the state of focus
adjustment by the above described A/F device 217.
[0043] It should be noted that two AF operation modes are provided
for this digital still camera 1: the "single A/F" mode and the
"continuous A/F" mode. When the "single A/F" mode is set, the focus
detection operation by the A/F device 217 is performed upon the
actuation of the half press switch 231 as described above, while on
the other hand, when the "continuous A/F" mode is set, the focus
detection operation by the A/F device 217 is always being performed
while the main switch 8 is changed over to the photographic mode
position.
[0044] When the zoom changeover button 14 is actuated, the zoom
lens drive device 216 drives the photographic zoom lens 201
according to a command from the switch control CPU 213, and changes
the focal length of said zoom lens 201. The zoom button 14 consists
of a seesaw type switch, and can be turned in one direction or the
other to either a telescopic side (T) or a wide angle side (W),
thus setting the focal length of the zoom lens 201
correspondingly.
[0045] When the release switch 232 is turned ON following the
actuation of the half press switch 231, light is emitted from the
flash device 4 according to the result of photometry by the
photometric device 218 and according to the flash mode which has
been set in advance by the flash photographic mode button 11, and,
by light from the photographic subject via the photographic zoom
lens 201 being focused upon the light receiving surface of the CCD
202, signal electric charges are accumulated by the CCD 202 in
correspondence to the brightness of the image of the photographic
subject. These signal electric charges which have been accumulated
by the CCD 202 are emitted out by the driver circuit 203, and are
inputted to the pre-processor circuit 204, comprising an AGC
circuit and a CDS circuit, which performs analog signal processing
thereupon. After analog processing such as gain control and noise
elimination and the like have been performed upon the analog image
signal by the pre-processor circuit 204, the resulting signal is
converted into a digital signal by the A/D conversion circuit
205.
[0046] This signal which has been converted into digital form is
transmitted to the above described ASIC for image processing 206,
wherein it is subjected to image preprocessing such as contour
correction and gamma correction and the like, before being
temporarily stored in the buffer memory 207. And image data
transfer is performed between the CPU 212 and the buffer memory
207, with a white balance adjustment value being received from the
stored image data, and white balance adjustment is performed by the
ASIC 206 for image processing based upon this adjustment value, and
the image data after white balance adjustment is again stored in
the buffer memory 207.
[0047] Furthermore, format processing (image post-processing) for
JPEG compression is then performed by the ASIC 206 for image
processing upon the image data which has been subjected to the
above type of image pre-processing, so that the image data after
this image post-processing is compressed at a predetermined data
compression ratio in the JPEG format. A predetermined data file
name is appended by the CPU 212 to this image data which has been
subjected to compression in the JPEG format, and then it is
recorded in a memory 208, which is a recording medium such as a
flash memory or the like (a PC card, or a CF card, etc.). When this
record processing into the memory 208 has been completed, this
photographic processing is terminated.
[0048] Additional to the above, a display panel driver circuit 220
is connected to the CPU 212, and the states of a flash emission
mode setting of the flash device 4 as set by a flash photographic
mode button 11, a distance range setting as set by an A/F mode
button 12, a compression ratio setting as set by a picture quality
mode button 13, and the like are displayed by this display panel
driver circuit 220 upon the display panel 10. Furthermore, an
external I/F circuit 211 is connected to the ASIC 206 for image
processing, and thereby it is possible to output the display image
data as a video signal.
[0049] Menu Setting in the Photographic Mode
[0050] FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C are figures for explanation of menu
setting screens upon the LCD color monitor 3 for the photographic
mode of this digital still camera according to this preferred
embodiment of the present invention. When the menu button 16 of
FIG. 1B is pressed in the photographic mode, then a photographic
menu screen like the one shown in FIG. 4A is displayed upon the LCD
color monitor 3 of this digital still camera 1. By actuation of the
selection dial 17 or of the zoom changeover button 14 (which
functions as a selection switch in the menu setting mode), for
example, the item "A/F operation" may be selected from the menu.
When the release button 9 (which functions as a selection decision
button in the menu setting mode) is pressed and "A/F operation" is
selected and confirmed, then a menu setting screen related to the
A/F operation mode like the one shown in FIG. 4B is displayed upon
the LCD color monitor 3. In this A/F operation mode, as previously
described, there are included a "continuous A/F mode" in which
focus adjustment operation is always performed while the camera is
set to the photographic mode via the main switch 8, and a "single
A/F mode" in which focus adjustment is only performed when the half
press switch 22 is actuated so as to turn ON.
[0051] By actuation of the selection dial 17 or of the zoom
changeover button 14, for example, the item "single A/F mode" may
be selected from the menu. When the release button 9 is pressed to
confirm the selection of "single A/F mode", then the above
described operational mode is selected in which focus detection is
only performed when the half press switch 22 is actuated so as to
turn ON. This set value becomes effective when the user again
presses the menu button 16, so as to return the system from the
menu setting mode back to the photographic mode.
[0052] When the item "simultaneous display" is selected upon the
menu of FIG. 4A, and the selection of this item "simultaneous
display" is confirmed by pressing the release button 9, then a menu
setting screen like that shown in FIG. 4C related to the
simultaneous display mode is displayed upon the LCD color monitor
3. By "simultaneous display" is meant that the through frame before
photography and a freeze frame of the image after photography are
simultaneously displayed upon the LCD color monitor 3. By actuation
of the selection dial 17 or of the zoom changeover button 14, for
example, the item "picture in picture" may be selected from the
menu. When the release button 9 is pressed to confirm the selection
of "picture in picture", then a display mode is selected in which,
superimposed over one of the through frame before photography and
the freeze frame of the image after photography, there is displayed
a reduced image of the other. Other than this "picture in picture",
it is possible to select "in parallel" in which both of the images
are reduced and they are displayed side by side, and "OFF" in which
simultaneous display is not performed. The set value becomes
effective when the user again presses the menu button 16, so as to
return the system from the menu setting mode back to the
photographic mode.
[0053] The above described menu setting operation for the
photographic mode, apart from the "A/F operation" and "simultaneous
display" settings explained above, is also used for setting various
details of camera operation related to photographic function, such
as photometry mode and white balance adjustment value selection and
the like. Furthermore, in this menu setting for the photographic
mode, there is an item for performing through frame display just as
it is, as will now be described. For example, when the selection
dial 17 is actuated while the exposure correction button 18 is
being pressed, the shutter speed, the aperture value, and the
exposure correction value are displayed along the lower portion of
the screen, with the through frame display continuing to be
performed just as it is, as shown in FIG. 5. When the selection
dial 17 is actuated, it is possible to set the exposure correction
value. FIG. 5 shows as an example the case in which the exposure
correction value has been set to +2.0.
[0054] The setting of the shutter speed and the aperture value is
performed as follows. When the selection dial 17 is actuated while
the exposure mode button 19 is being pressed, the same screen shown
in FIG. 5 is displayed as when performing the above described
exposure correction. The shutter speed or the aperture value is
selected by actuating the selection dial 17 while keeping the
exposure mode button 19 pressed, and it is possible to set the
shutter speed or the aperture value by actuating only the selection
dial 17 within a predetermined time period.
[0055] The operation of photographic processing by this digital
still camera 1 according to this preferred embodiment of the
present invention will now be explained with reference to the flow
chart of FIG. 6. When the main switch 8 is actuated and the power
supply is turned ON in the photographic mode, this program for
photographic processing is started. When the program starts, first
in a step S301 exposure adjustment (A/E) is performed based upon
the results of photometry by the photometric device 218 (refer to
FIG. 3), and next in a step S302 focus detection and focus
adjustment (A/F) are performed by the A/F device 217. When the A/F
operation has been completed, image pre-processing 350 is performed
in a step S303.
[0056] When the image pre-processing 350 in the step S303 has been
completed, in a step S304 it is processed into image data for
display by the ASIC for image processing 206, and a through frame
is displayed upon the LCD color monitor 3. Next in a step S305 a
decision is made as to whether or not the half press switch 231 is
being actuated, and if it is decided that said half press switch
231 is indeed being actuated (the Y result in the step S305) then
the flow of control proceeds to a step S306 in which A/E operation
for photography is performed; while on the other hand, if it is
decided that said half press switch 231 is not being actuated (the
N result in the step S305) then the flow of control returns to the
step S301. When the A/E operation in the step S306 has been
completed, next in a step S307 A/F operation for photography is
performed. When this A/F operation has been completed, the results
of both of the above described A/E and A/F procedures are stored in
the CPU 212, and next in a step S308 a check is performesd as to
whether or not the full press switch 232 is being actuated.
[0057] If it is decided that the full press switch 232 is indeed
being actuated (the Y result in the step S308) then in a step S309
image pre-processing 350 is performed. This image pre-processing
350 is the same procedure as the image pre-processing 350 which was
performed in the step S303. When the image pre-processing in the
step S309 has been completed, in a next step S310 it is processed
into image data for display by the ASIC for image processing 206,
and the screen which has been photographed (freeze frame) is
displayed upon the LCD color monitor 3. In the next step S311, the
image data upon which image pre-processing has been performed is
post-processed by being subjected to data compression at a
predetermined compression ratio in the JPEG format. And in a next
step S312 a predetermined image data filename is appended by the
CPU 212 to the image data after compression, and it is recorded in
the memory 208; and then the photographic processing routine of
FIG. 6 terminates.
[0058] On the other hand, if in the above described step S308 it is
decided that the full press switch 232 is not being actuated (the N
result in the step S308), then in a step S313 a check is made as to
whether time up has occurred or not. If it is decided that time up
has not yet occurred (the N result in the step S313), then the
results of both the A/E and the A/F procedures are stored in the
CPU 212 and the flow of control returns to the step S308, so that
the system waits for the full press switch 232 to be actuated.
Furthermore, if in the step S313 it is decided that time up has now
occurred (the Y result in the step S313), then the photographic
processing routine of FIG. 6 terminates.
[0059] Next, the above described image pre-processing 350 will be
explained with reference to the flow chart of FIG. 7. First, in a
step S351, electric charges are accumulated in the CCD 202 (refer
to FIG. 3) corresponding to the brightness of the image of the
photographic subject, and next in a step S352 the electric charges
which have been accumulated are emitted out in order and are
inputted to the pre-processor circuit 204. Next in a step S353
analog signal processing is performed by the pre-processor circuit
204, and then in a next step S354 the resultant analog signal is
converted into a digital signal by the A/D conversion circuit 205.
This image signal which has been digitalized is subjected to
contour correction and gamma correction by the ASIC 206 for image
processing, and then, after having been temporarily stored in the
buffer memory 207, is subjected to image processing such as white
balance adjustment and the like.
[0060] Next, in a step S356, a decision is made as to whether or
not the processing of the step S309 is taking place. If it is
decided that the processing of the step S309 is taking place (the Y
decision in the step S356), then the image data after image
processing is considered as being "image 2", and is written into a
region for "image 2" in the buffer memory 207 in a step S357, and
then this image pre-processing 350 is terminated. On the other
hand, if it is decided that the processing of the step S303 is
taking place (the N decision in the step S356), then the image data
after image processing is considered as being "image 1", and is
written into a region for "image 1" in the buffer memory 207 in a
step S358, and then this image pre-processing 350 is terminated.
"Image 2" and "image 1" are names which are appended for the sake
of convenience in order to distinguish "image 2" which is the image
data which has been captured after the full press switch 232 has
been actuated, from "image 1" which is the image data which was
captured before the half press switch 231 was actuated.
[0061] Next, the above described display processing 360 will be
explained with reference to the flow chart of FIG. 8. First, in a
step S361, a decision is made as to whether or not "image 1" and
"image 2" are to be displayed simultaneously upon the LCD color
monitor 3. The setting for simultaneous display as picture in
picture is performed in advance in the menu setting mode, as has
been explained previously. If, based upon the details which have
been set in advance in the menu setting mode, it is decided that
simultaneous display of "image 1" and "image 2" is not to be
performed (the N decision in the step S361), then the data for
"image 1" which has been subjected to image pre-processing and has
been stored in the buffer memory 207 is subjected to subsampling
processing according to the display resolution of the LCD display
monitor 3, and is written into the display region of the buffer
memory 207 in a step S362. Then in a step S363 the image data which
has been written into the display region of the buffer memory 207
is displayed upon the LCD color monitor 3.
[0062] On the other hand if, based upon the details which have been
set in advance by the menu processing, it is decided that
simultaneous display of "image 1" and "image 2" is indeed to be
performed (the Y decision in the step S361), then in a step S364 it
is decided whether or not time out has occurred. If it is decided
that the time period for simultaneous display set in advance to be
performed, which may for example be 10 seconds from the start of
simultaneous picture in picture display, has elapsed (the Y
decision in the step S364) then the flow of control is transferred
to the step S362 in order to terminate simultaneous display. On the
other hand, if it is decided that 10 seconds has not yet elapsed
(the N decision in the step S364) then in a step S365 a decision is
made as to whether or not photographic actuation has been
performed. If it is decided that photographic actuation has not
been performed (the N decision in the step S365) then in a step
S366 processing 380 is performed for composing or synthesizing the
data for "image 1" and "image 2", and when this composite
processing has been completed the flow of control is transferred to
the step S363.
[0063] It should be understood that, although in the above
described step S364 the time period which was utilized for decision
was 10 seconds, it would be acceptable for it to be arranged to be
possible to change this to any time period. In such a case, it
would be arranged to set this time period simultaneously when
selecting "picture in picture" or "in parallel" under the menu item
"simultaneous display" during the menu setting in advance.
Furthermore, the above described time measurement operation is
performed by frequency dividing an operational clock signal which
is inputted to the CPU 212 by using a counter circuit or the like
not shown in the figures.
[0064] If in the above step S365 it is decided that photographic
actuation has indeed been performed (the Y decision in the step
S365), then, in order to stop the simultaneous display, then in a
step S367 a check is made as to whether or not either the menu
switch 16 or the half press switch 231 has been actuated. If it is
decided that the half press switch 231 has been actuated then the
flow of control is transferred to the step S362, while if it is
decided that the menu switch 16 has been actuated, then in a step
S371 menu setting processing for the photographic mode is
performed. In this menu setting processing, the display upon the
LCD color monitor 3 is changed over to an actuation menu display
like those shown in FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C, and the details of
setting of the digital camera 1 are changed from among the
displayed items, as described previously. After the changing of the
setting details has been completed, in order to change over the
menu display screen to the display of "image 1", the data for
"image 1" which is stored in the buffer memory 207 is processed by
being subsampled or thinned out corresponding to the display
resolution of the LCD color monitor 3, and is written into the
display region of the buffer memory 207, and then the flow of
control is returned to the step S301 of the flow chart shown in
FIG. 6.
[0065] On the other hand, if in the step S367 it is determined that
neither the menu switch 16 nor the half press switch 231 has been
actuated (the N decision in the step S367), then in a step S368 a
decision is made as to whether or not it is the zoom button 14
which has been actuated. If in the step S368 it is determined that
the zoom button has been actuated (the Y decision in the step
S368), then, since the character display at the lower edge of FIG.
5 is not required, then in a step S369 only the data for "image 1"
which has been subjected to image pre-processing and is stored in
the buffer memory 207 is processed by being subsampled according to
the display resolution of the LCD color monitor 3, and is written
into the region for display in the buffer memory 207.
[0066] On the other hand, if in the step S368 it is decided that
the zoom button 14 has not been actuated (the N decision in the
step S368), then, since it is either simultaneous actuation of the
exposure correction button 18 and the selection dial 17 or
simultaneous actuation of the exposure mode button 19 and the
selection dial 17 which have been performed, therefore in a step
S372 the data for "image 1" which have been subjected to image
pre-processing and is stored in the buffer memory 207 and character
display data showing the shutter speed, the aperture opening value,
and the exposure correction value are written into the region for
display in the buffer memory 207. FIG. 5 is an example of display
upon the LCD color monitor 3 of the data for "image 1" which has
been written into the display region of the buffer memory 207 and
the character display data. It should be understood that the data
for "image 1" is processed by being subsampled according to the
display resolution of the LCD color monitor 3, as described above,
and is written into the region for display in the buffer memory
207.
[0067] When the alteration of the setting details has been
completed by setting processing which corresponds to the various
actuation buttons described above, then in a step S370 the data for
"image 1" which has been processed by being subsampled in
correspondence to the display resolution of the LCD color monitor 3
is rewritten into the region for display of the buffer memory 207,
and then the flow of control is returned to the step S301 of the
flow chart of FIG. 6.
[0068] Next, the above described composite processing 380 will be
explained with reference to the flow chart of FIG. 9. First, in a
step S381, a decision is made as to whether or not "picture in
picture" display is to be performed. The setting for performing
"picture in picture" display will have been performed in advance in
the menu setting mode, as described above. If, based upon the
details which have been set in the menu setting mode, it is decided
that "picture in picture" display is to be performed (the Y
decision in the step S381), then in a step S382 the data for "image
2" which has been subjected to image pre-processing and is stored
in the region for "image 2" in the buffer memory 207 is copied into
a region for composite processing in the buffer memory 207 while
processing is performed for subsampling it based upon a
predetermined compression ratio, for example so that its display
area should be reduced to {fraction (1/9)} of the original. It
should be understood that, if no data for "image 2" after image
pre-processing is stored in the region for "image 2" of the buffer
memory 207, then no subsampling processing is performed.
[0069] Next, in a step S383, the data for "image 1" which is stored
in the region for "image 1" in the buffer memory 207 is copied into
the region for composite processing in the buffer memory 207. At
this time, this copy is performed while composing it with the data
for "image 2" which has been processed by being subsampled so that,
for example, its display area is reduced to {fraction (1/9)} of the
original, as described above. In other words, composition
(superimposition) is performed so as to overwrite a portion of the
data for "image 1" with the compressed or reduced data for "image
2". The composite image which has been thus composed in the
composite processing region of the buffer memory 207 is processed
in a next step S384 by being subsampled according to the display
resolution of the LCD color monitor 3, and is then written into the
region for display of the buffer memory 207; and then the composite
processing of FIG. 9 is terminated. It should be understood that,
when no subsampling processing is performed in the step S382 due to
the absence of stored data for "image 2", the data for "image 1" is
processed by being subsampled according to the display resolution
of the LCD color monitor 3, and is then written into the region for
display of the buffer memory 207.
[0070] On the other hand, if, based upon the details which have
been set in the menu setting mode, it is decided that "picture in
picture" display is not to be performed (the N decision in the step
S381), then in a step S385 the data for "image 1" which has been
subjected to image pre-processing and is stored in the region for
"image 1" in the buffer memory 207 is copied into the region for
composite processing in the buffer memory 207 while processing is
performed for subsampling it based upon a predetermined compression
ratio, for example so that its display area should be reduced to
1/4 of the original. Next, similarly, in a step S386 the data for
"image 2" which has been subjected to image pre-processing and is
stored in the region for "image 2" in the buffer memory 207 is
copied into the region for composite processing in the buffer
memory 207 while processing is performed for subsampling it based
upon a predetermined compression ratio, for example so that its
display area should be reduced to 1/4 of the original.
[0071] Next, in a step S387, the data for "image 1" and the data
for "image 2" which have been subjected to subsampling processing
in the composite region of the buffer memory 207 are composed in
the region for composite processing so as to be "in parallel". In
other words, both of the sets of image data are composed so as to
display all of the data for "image 1" and all of the data for
"image 2" at the same size "in parallel".
[0072] FIGS. 10 and 11 are figures for explanation of a portion of
the map which is allocated in the buffer memory 207 as described
above. FIG. 10 relates to the case when "picture in picture"
display is being performed, while FIG. 11 relates to the case when
"in parallel" display is being performed. In FIGS. 10 and 11, the
interior of the buffer memory 207 is shown as being divided into at
least a storage region dedicated to the data for "image 2" and the
data for "image 1", a composite processing region for reducing or
compressing and composing the data for "image 1" and the data for
"image 2", and a region for display in which display image data is
stored after having been processed by being subsampled according to
the display resolution of the LCD color monitor 3. Examples of the
images which are stored in each region are shown on the right sides
of these figures. In FIGS. 10 and 11, the image which is displayed
upon the LCD color monitor 3 of the digital camera 1 is the image
whose data is stored in the display region which is shown at the
lowermost positions in these figures.
[0073] To explain the outstanding characteristic of this preferred
embodiment, since it is arranged to display the data for image 2
which is the photographed screen (the freeze frame) as superimposed
over the data for "image 1" which is the through frame, thereby it
is possible for the user to check the "image 2" which has been
photographed while checking the image "image 1" of the photographic
subject which is to be photographed next. As a result, for example,
even if the same photographic subject is to be photographed, it is
possible to determine upon the composition of the next photograph
while comparing and checking against the composition of the screen
of "image 2" which has been photographed.
[0074] Furthermore, since the data for "image 2" is displayed as
compressed or reduced in relation to the data for "image 1", the
possibility is prevented of the display screen for the data for
"image 1" not being able to be checked due to its being hidden
under the data for "image 2".
[0075] Yet further, since it is arranged that the time period over
which the simultaneous display of the data for "image 2" and the
data for "image 1" is performed can be altered, therefore it
becomes possible to adjust the display time according to the desire
of the photographer, and accordingly the convenience of use of the
camera is enhanced.
[0076] And, since it is arranged that the simultaneous display of
the data for "image 2" and the data for "image 1" is stopped when
menu setting and photographic actuation are performed, therefore
the possibility is prevented of menu setting actuation and
photographic actuation becoming hard to perform due to simultaneous
display being performed.
[0077] Although in the above explanation, during "picture in
picture" display, it was arranged for a portion of the data for
"image 1" to be replaced by the data for "image 2" which was
compressed or reduced, it would also be acceptable, conversely, for
a portion of the data for "image 2" to be replaced by the data for
"image 1" which is reduced or compressed.
[0078] Furthermore although, in the above explanation, the
reduction ratio for the data for "image 2" during "picture in
picture" display was arranged to be {fraction (1/9)}, it would be
acceptable to arrange for this value to be variable. Yet further,
it would also be acceptable to set display at the same
magnification without reduction, and in such a case, in the step
S364 during "picture in picture" display, the data for "image 2" is
displayed instead of the data for "image 1" during the period of 10
seconds until it is decided that time out for simultaneous display
has occurred.
[0079] Although the time period for deciding upon time out in the
above described step S364 was arranged to be 10 seconds, it could
also be changed to any time period, such as for example 5 seconds
or 20 seconds or the like, and furthermore it could also be set to
be infinite. In such a case, the simultaneous display would be
terminated by a Y decision being made in the step S365 during
simultaneous display of the data for "image 1" and the data for
"image 2".
[0080] Yet further, although in the above explanation the data for
"image 2" was arranged to be a freeze frame which was a
photographed screen, it would also be acceptable to arrange to
display a photographic subject image of the region for detection of
the focus adjustment state during A/F operation, instead of a
photographed screen. In such a case, since "picture in picture"
display is performed of the image of the A/F operation region
superimposed over the data for "image 1" which is the through
frame, accordingly it is easy for the photographer to understand
with respect to which portion of "image 1" the A/F operation is
being performed.
[0081] Although the above explanation has been made in terms of an
electronic still camera which is capable of displaying a through
frame and a freeze frame, the present invention can also be applied
to a video camera which displays a moving image and a still image.
Furthermore, although the above explanation has been made in terms
of an electronic still camera which comprises a display device
which displays an image, the present invention can also be applied
to an electronic still camera which outputs an image signal for
display upon a monitor device which is provided externally.
* * * * *